System and method for administering a contest

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a system and method of administering a golf related contest. The method includes entering a participant into the contest upon the purchase of an item without payment for entry into the contest. Images of the participant attempting to achieve a goal of the contest are recorded. The recorded images are reviewed to verify that a participant achieved a goal of the contest. The system includes a receiving device that receives payment for the item. An entry device enters the participant into the contest in response to payment for the item. A recording device records images of the participant attempting to achieve the goal of the contest. A verifying device plays the images of the participant attempting to achieve the goal of the contest.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/619,911, filed Oct. 18, 1004, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and method for administering a contest, and more specifically, to a system and method for administering a golf related contest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A system for determining if a specific goal of a golf related contest has been achieved, such as a hole-in-one, on a golf course includes a camera that records images received from a first location, such as a tee box. The camera also records images received from a second location, such as on a green. The camera also records the flight of a golf ball hit from the first location to the second location. The recorded images can be reviewed to determine if the goal of the contest has been achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a system and method of administering a golf related contest. The method includes entering a participant into the contest upon the purchase of an item without payment for entry into the contest. Images of the participant attempting to achieve a goal of the contest are recorded. The recorded images are reviewed to verify that a participant achieved a goal of the contest.

The system includes a receiving device that receives payment for the item. An entry device enters the participant into the contest in response to payment for the item. A recording device records images of the participant attempting to achieve the goal of the contest. A verifying device plays the images of the participant attempting to achieve the goal of the contest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for administering a contest;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a flag pole and a first embodiment of an indicating device for use in the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a member of the indicating device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is schematic view of a flag pole and a second embodiment of an indicating device showing the indicating device in a stored position; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the indicating device of FIG. 4 in an indicating position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a system and method for administering a contest, and more specifically, to a system and a method for administering a golf related contest. As representative of the present invention, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system 10. The system 10 administers a contest for achievement of at least one desired golfing goal at a golf course or a driving range. It is contemplated that the system 10 may be used to administer a contest in which more than one goal may be achieved. The desired goal of the contest may be for a hole in one on a specific green at the golf course or the driving range. The desired goal of the contest may be to hit a golf ball within a specified distance to a target, such as a hole or flag pole. It is contemplated that the specified distance may be any desired distance, such as two or three feet. The desired goal of the contest may be closest shot to a pin on the green, landing a golf ball on a specific green at a golf course or a driving range, longest putt, longest drive from a tee, or straightest drive from the tee. The system 10 may be used to administer a contest for the achievement of any desired goal. The contest may reward a person who achieves the desired goal with a prize. It is contemplated that the system 10 may also be used to reward a person for consistency of certain golf shot achievements or loyalty to a golf course or a driving range.

The system 10 may include one or more video cameras 12 that receive images of a first location 14, such as a hitting area from which a person hits a golf ball or a tee box. The cameras 12 may be any desired video recording device. The system 10 may also include one or more video cameras 16 that receive images of a second location 18, such as a landing area for a golf ball hit from the first location, a fairway or a green. The first and second locations 14 and 18 may be any desired locations. The cameras 12 and 16 may record images at all times, during specific time periods, or when activated by a person who is eligible to participate in the contest. The cameras 12 and 16 may be solar powered cameras.

Although the cameras 12 and 16 are shown located adjacent the first and second locations 14 and 18, the cameras may be located in any desired position. It is contemplated that any number of cameras 12 and 16 may be used. Furthermore, the cameras 12 and 16 may be mounted on a pole or poles. One camera 12 may be mounted on a pole to receive images of the first location 14 and one camera 16 may be mounted on the pole to receive images of the second location. It is also contemplated that one camera may receive images from the first and second locations.

The video cameras 12 and 16 may send the images to a video recording device or recorder 22 that stores image data received from the cameras, such as a digital video recorder. The recorder 22 may be hardwired to the video cameras 12 and 16 and be located near the first or second locations 14 and 18. It is also contemplated that the cameras 12 and 16 may communicate wirelessly with the video recorder 22. Accordingly, the video recorder 22 may be located in any desired location. The video recorder 22 may be solar powered. The video recorder 22 may be enclosed in a weather proof housing (not shown). The housing may include a heating and air conditioning unit in order to control the temperature in the housing.

The video recorder 22 may also communicate with a network, such as a local area network (LAN) and/or a wide area network (WAN). The network may be a wireless network. The video recorder 22 may be hardwired to the network or communicate wirelessly with the network using any desired wireless technology, such as spread spectrum technology.

Although the system 10 is described as including cameras 12 and 16 that communicate with the video recorder 22, it is contemplated that each of the cameras 12 and 16 may include a video recording device that stores the image data. Accordingly, the cameras 12 and 16 may include hard drives for storing the image data. It is also contemplated that the cameras 12 and 16 may communicate directly with the LAN and/or WAN. The cameras 12 and 16 may be hardwired to the LAN and/or WAN or communicate wirelessly with the LAN and/or WAN.

The images recorded on the video recorder 22 may be viewed by a person administering the contest. Accordingly, when a person alleges that they achieved a desired goal of the contest, the achievement may be verified. The person administering the contest may review the images on a verifying device, such as the video recorder 22 or review the images from a remote location away from the video recorder. If the video recorder 22 is connected to the internet, the images can be viewed by downloading the images off of the internet from a computer with internet access. The images may be sold to the person who achieved the desired goal or used for publicity and advertising.

The contest may be made available to every person who purchases a specific product or item, such as a round of golf or a bucket of balls. The person may be entered into the contest when the person purchases the specific item without charging for entry into the contest. Accordingly, a person may be entered into the contest upon payment of greens fees or for a bucket of driving range balls. Upon the purchase of greens fees or driving range balls, the person becomes eligible to win a base prize or choice of base prizes. If the person achieves a desired goal of the contest, the person may win a prize having a first value. It is also contemplated that the contest may also only be made available to a person who pays to enter the contest or makes an additional purchase, such as merchandise from a pro shop.

A person may have the option to upgrade the value of any prize they are eligible to receive by paying more than the cost of a round of golf or a bucket of balls or by making an additional purchase prior to attempting to achieve the desired goal. Accordingly, the person becomes eligible to win a second prize or choice of prizes having a second value higher than the first value. There may be multiple levels of purchases available to a person in order to upgrade the prize they would win if they achieve a goal of the contest. At each of the multiple levels, the player may be able to choose among different prize offerings.

The contest may include a plurality of goals that a participant or contestant may achieve. The contest may include a first goal of hitting a ball within a first specified distance, such as three feet, to a target, hole 51 or flag pole 50 of the second location 18. The contest may include a second goal of hitting a ball within a second specified distance smaller than the first specified distance, such as two feet, to the target, hole or flag pole. The contest may include a third goal of hitting a ball into the target or hole or getting a hole in one. If a participant achieves any of the plurality of goals, the participant may win a prize. The participant may win a prize having a first value for achieving the first goal. The participant may win a prize having a second value greater than the first value for achieving the second goal. The participant may win a prize having a third value greater than the second value for achieving the third goal.

Each of the plurality of goals for the contest may include a plurality of prize levels. If a participant purchases an upgrade, the participant may be eligible to win a higher value prize by achieving one of the goals of the contest. If a participant does not purchase an upgrade, the participant is eligible to win one of a first level of prizes for achieving the first goal of the contest. If the participant purchases an upgrade, the participant is eligible to win a prize having a value greater than one of the first level of prizes for achieving the first goal of the contest. If a participant does not purchase an upgrade, the participant is eligible to win one of a second level of prizes for achieving the second goal of the contest. If the participant purchases an upgrade, the participant is eligible to win a prize having a value greater than one of the second level of prizes for achieving the second goal of the contest.

As an example, the cameras 12 and 16 may receive images from a specified hole on a golf course. Prizes may be awarded to a participant if the participant achieves the first goal of stopping a golf ball within three feet of the hole 51, the second goal of stopping a golf ball within two feet of the hole, or the third goal of hitting a hole in one at the second location 18. If the participant does not buy an upgrade and the participant achieves the first goal, the participant is awarded a prize having a first value. If the participant does not buy an upgrade and the participant achieves the second goal, the participant is awarded a prize having a second value greater than the first value. If the participant does not buy an upgrade and the participant achieves the third goal, the participant is awarded a prize having a third value greater than the second value. If the participant buys an upgrade and the participant achieves the first goal, the participant is awarded a prize having a value greater than the first value. If the participant buys an upgrade and the participant achieves the second goal, the participant is awarded a prize having a value greater than the second value. If the participant buys an upgrade and the participant achieves the third goal, the participant is awarded a prize having a value greater than the third value.

When a person pays for an item, such as a round of golf or a bucket of balls, the cashier explains the contest and asks the person if they would like an upgrade. Upon payment for the item, the person is entered into the contest without having to pay for entry into the contest. The person is entered in the contest with the possibility of winning prizes from one of the first levels of prizes. The person can purchase an upgrade for the contest to become eligible to win prizes having values greater than the values of the first levels of prizes. There may be any number of upgraded prizes available.

A receiving device or register system 23 may include an entry device or central computer 24 with a touch screen monitor. A first page of the monitor or central computer 24 asks if the person is playing 9 or 18 holes. When the cashier hits one of the buttons, the monitor or central computer 24 may link the cashier to an upgrade device where the cashier can hit a no upgrade button or an appropriate upgrade button. Then, the monitor or central computer 24 may link them to a confirmation page where the cashier may hit print if all the information is correct. A first printer or receipt issuing device 26 of the register system 23 may print out a receipt for the round of golf and a second printer or ticket issuing device 28 may print out a ticket with a ticket code or a magnetic strip on it.

The central computer of the receiving device 23 may communicate with an input device, or controller or kiosk 30 located near the first location 14, the cameras 12 and 16, the video recorder 22, the LAN and/or the WAN. The central computer 23 may be hardwired to or communicate wirelessly with the controller 30, the cameras 12 and 16, the video recorder 22, the LAN and/or the WAN.

The controller or kiosk 30 may have a screen and/or a keypad. The input device or controller 30 may also be solar powered. It is contemplated that the controller 30, the screen and/or the keypad of the controller may remain turned off until a participant approaches the controller. It is also contemplated that the controller 30, the screen and/or the keypad of the controller may remain turned off until activated by a participant in some manner. The controller 30, the screen and/or the keypad of the controller may be activated by a participant opening a cover for the screen and/or keypad. The controller 30, the screen and/or the keypad may be turned off when the cover for the screen and/or keypad is closed.

At least one of the video cameras 12 may receive images from the controller 30 and an area surrounding the controller. When the participant or contestant gets to the first location 14, the participant may enter the code into the input device or controller 30 or swipe the magnetic strip through a reader on the controller. It is also contemplated that the participant may use the controller 30 to enter the contest or upgrade the potential prize by any desired means, such as entering credit card information or money into the controller. If a valid code or ticket is entered into the controller 30, a screen on the controller may read, “ticket accepted, please take your shot.” The controller 30 may verify that the participant has properly entered the contest. The controller 30 may also differentiate between the participants that are eligible for prizes having higher values.

If participation in the contest is not given to persons who merely purchase an item, such as a round of golf or driving range balls, then each person may only be entered into the contest if an additional purchase is made or they achieve a certain criteria set by the course, driving range or the contest administrators, such as number of rounds played, buckets of range balls purchased, or amount of money spent at the course or driving range. If this is the case, there would be multiple levels of purchases available to a person in order to upgrade the prize they would win if they achieve the goal of the contest.

The system 10 may include other means of entering the contest and/or upgrading the potential prize. The system 10 may include placing a controller or kiosk in the clubhouse, by the first location, or by another area where the contest is conducted that would allow a person to enter the contest or upgrade their potential prize by making a purchase by any desired means, such as swiping a credit card, entering credit card information, entering coins into a coin slot, or entering paper currency into a currency acceptor. The person may have the option to enter the contest or pay additional money to increase the prize value that they are eligible to win when they arrive at the first location. The person may enter coins, paper currency, credit cards or any other payment into a device that would collect or record such an activity.

After payment for the item, such as a round of golf or a bucket of balls, the person may receive a ticket with a barcode, a token or special coin, code or any other device that would be used to activate the system when the person reaches the first location 14. A person may be required to perform a certain act when they arrive at the first location 14. The certain act would trigger software that when reviewing images recorded by the video recorder 22, would enable the person reviewing the images to ascertain what value of prizes the person may be rewarded with if the person achieves a goal of the contest. The certain act may be entering a code into a keypad or touch screen, entering or swiping a ticket into a ticket reader that reads a certain code on that ticket, entering a credit card into a credit card reader, entering credit card information into a keypad, entering a coin, coins, or a token into a coin acceptor, entering any form of paper currency into a currency acceptor, or any other device or system that is used to trigger the software that would enable the administrators of the contest to ascertain what level of a prize the person would receive if they achieved a goal of the contest. The ticket or token that the player receives may also be used as a receipt that can be shown to a starter for play.

If a participant states that they have achieved one of the goals of the contest, that participant's code may be entered into the system 10 by an administrator. The system 10 may play the recorded images from approximately 5 seconds before that person activated the system. The images may be viewed to verify that the person entered the code, took the shot, and achieved the goal.

The system 10 may include a flag pole 50 (FIG. 2) or pin with a measuring or indicating device. The exemplary flag pole 50 informs a participant of the location of a target or hole 51 at the second location 18. A first exemplary embodiment of a measuring or indicating device is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The indicating device 52 is connected to the flag pole 50 and extends generally parallel to the flag pole.

The indicating device 52 (FIG. 2) may include a first member 54, such as a tape measure or other thin flexible member, connected to a bottom portion 56 of the flag pole 50. The first member 54 may be connected to the flag pole 50 in any desired manner. The tape measure 54 does not significantly interfere with normal play at the second location 18 or green. Accordingly, if a golf ball hits the first member 54, the first member does not affect the movement of the golf ball. It is contemplated that the indicating device 52 may not include the first member 54.

The indicating device 52 may include a second member 60 connected to the flag pole 50 and extending from the first member 54 toward a top portion 62 of the flag pole 50. The second member 60 may be connected to the flag pole 50 in any desired manner. The second member 60 (FIGS. 2 and 3) may be a larger member than the first member 54. Also, the second member 60 may have a first portion 64 having a first color and a second portion 66 having a second color different from the first color. The second member 60 may have any number of portions having different colors. Accordingly, images of the second member 60 may be easily received by one of the cameras 12 and 16. The first portion 64 may have lines for indicating a distance from the bottom portion 56 of the flag pole 50.

The indicating device 52 on the flag pole 50 may be used to indicate that a golf ball is within a specified distance from the target or hole 51 if one of the goals of the contest is to hit a ball within a specified distance of the target. A participant may use the flag pole 50 and the indicating device 52 to show that a golf ball is within the specified distance. The flag pole 50 may be laid on the ground with the bottom portion 56 adjacent the target or hole and extending toward a golf ball. If the golf ball is adjacent the first portion 64 of the second member 60 or adjacent the first member 54, then the participant achieved the goal of stopping a golf ball within the specified distance from the target or hole. One of the cameras 12 and 16 may receive images of the flag pole 50 extending from the target or hole adjacent the golf ball. Accordingly, a person administering the contest may review the images to verify that the participant stopped a golf ball within the specified distance.

A second embodiment of a measuring or indicating device is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The indicating device 70 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is connected with the flag pole 50. The indicating device 70 may include a hinge 72 connected to the flag pole 50. The hinge 72 may be spaced from the bottom portion 56 of the flag pole 50 so that the indicating device 70 does not interfere with normal play. The indicating device 70 may include an indicating member 74 having a first end 76 connected to the hinge 72 and a second opposite end 78. The indicating device 70 may have a storage position, shown in FIG. 5, and an indicating position, shown in FIG. 6. The indicating member 74 extends generally parallel to the flag pole 50 from the hinge 72 toward the top portion 62 of the flag pole when in the storage position so that the indicating member does not interfere with normal play. The second end 78 of the indicator may touch the green or ground 80 at the specified distance from the target or hole when in the indicating position. Accordingly, at least one of the cameras 12 and 16 may receive an image showing that a golf ball is within the specified distance from the target or hole when the indicating device 70 is in the indicating position. It is contemplated that the indicating member 74 may be biased toward the storage position by a spring. It is also contemplated that the hinge may be rotatable about an axis of the flag pole 50.

It is contemplated that any indicating or measuring device may be used to indicate that a ball is within a specified distance from a target or hole. It is contemplated that markings may be made directly on the flag pole 50 to indicate the specified distance from the target or hole. The flag pole 50 may be painted with a first color extending from the bottom portion of the flag pole to the specified distance and painted with a second color extending from the first color toward the upper portion of the flag pole. It is further contemplated that a flexible member, such as a tape measure or string, may be connected to the flag pole for indicating the specified distance from the target or hole. The tape measure or string may be wound onto a spool on the flag pole and pulled off the spool to indicate that the ball is within the specified distance.

It is contemplated that the system 10 may also include software for inventory control, barcode readers for purchases, and easy to use touch screen registers integrated with credit card readers. The system may also include the ability to take tee times. The tee times may be entered manually into the system, taken off the internet, or activated by telephone.

The system 10 may include a touch screen kiosk or controller on every tee box of the course. After each hole, persons can enter their score for the previous hole, call the beverage cart, and/or call the clubhouse to report an emergency. The system 10 may create a leader board among persons currently on the course. All of the kiosks or controllers may communicate wirelessly with the LAN and/or WAN and include wireless cameras. The system 10 may also include kiosks away from the cashier where people can reserve future tee times, check in for current tee times, enter scores for use in determining a handicap, and/or pay for a round of golf with a credit card or cash.

The system 10 may ask the person to enter information about themselves. Once the information is entered into the system, persons may enter a phone number or a code to use the system to reserve a tee time. The system 10 may send email or regular mail to the persons entered into the system about specials or events.

The system 10 may include a small screen or controller in communication with the LAN and/or WAN on a golf cart. When a group tees off, a starter may reset a timer in the system and the system may tell the group where they should be on the course. The system 10 may remind the group where it should be on the course and to speed up play.

It is contemplated that the second location 18 may be green at a driving range. The first location 14 may be one of a plurality of hitting areas or tee boxes at the driving range. When a person enters the contest, they get a token, or a ticket with a code or a magnetic strip. The person may also get a ball that is a different color than the regular driving range balls. If the person achieves the goal of the contest, such as getting a hole in one on the green at the second location with the different colored ball after the system 10 is activated by entering the code, swiping the magnetic strip through a reader, or entering the token into the controller 30, the person wins a prize. The second location 18 or green may prevent golf balls from staying on that green unless they are within a desired distance of the hole on the green, such as four feet. A person may be eligible for a prize if the person lands the different colored ball on the green and it stays on the green.

It is also contemplated that the system 10 may include means for clearing a golf ball or golf balls from the second location 18. When a person activates the system 10, such as by entering a code, a device may move across the second location 18 or green to clear any golf balls that are on the green. It is also contemplated that the second location 18 or green may be tilted by a device so that any balls on the green roll off. After the balls are cleared from the second location 18 or green, the device moves the second location to a position for receiving balls.

From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims. 

1. A method of administering a golf related contest including: entering a participant into the contest upon the purchase of an item without payment for entry into the contest; recording images of the participant attempting to achieve a goal of the contest; and verifying that a participant achieved a goal of the contest by reviewing the recorded images
 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 including entering the participant into the contest upon the purchase of a round of golf at a golf course.
 3. A method as set forth in claim 1 including recording images of the participant hitting a golf ball from a first location to a second location.
 4. A method as set forth in claim 1 including awarding a prize having a first value to the participant if the participant achieves a first goal of the contest and awarding a prize having a second value less than the first value to the participant if the participant achieves a second goal of the contest.
 5. A method as set forth in claim 4 including awarding the first prize if the participant achieves the goal of a hole in one on a specified golf hole and awarding the second prize if the participant achieves the goal of stopping a golf ball within a specified distance to a target of the specified golf hole.
 6. A method as set forth in claim 1 including awarding a prize if a participant achieves the goal of stopping a golf ball within a specified distance to a target at a specified golf hole and providing an indicating device on a flag pole of the specified golf hole for use in indicating that the golf ball has stopped within the specified distance to the target.
 7. A method as set forth in claim 6 including recording images of the participant using the indicating device to indicate that the golf ball has stopped within the specified distance and reviewing the recorded images of the participant using the indicating device.
 8. A method as set forth in claim 6 including providing the indicating device with a member extending generally parallel to the flag pole and connected to the flag pole at a location spaced from a bottom portion of the flag pole so that the participant lays the flag pole along the ground extending from the target to a golf ball to indicate that the golf ball is within the specified distance.
 9. A method as set forth in claim 8 including pivotally connecting the member to the flag pole so that the member is pivoted to a position extending at an angle to the flag pole to indicate that the golf ball is within the specified distance.
 10. A system for permitting the awarding of a prize for a golf related contest comprising: a receiving device that receives payment for a first item; an entry device that enters a participant into the contest in response to payment for the first item; a recording device that records images of the participant attempting to achieve a goal of the contest; and a verifying device that plays the images of the participant attempting to achieve the goal of the contest.
 11. A system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the entry device enters the participant into the contest upon payment for a round of golf at a golf course.
 12. A system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the recording device records images of the participant hitting a golf ball from a first location to a second location.
 13. A system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the entry device includes an upgrade device for increasing the value of the prize that the participant is eligible to win.
 14. A system as set forth in claim 10 including an indicating device on a flag pole of a specified golf hole for use in indicating that a golf ball has stopped within a specified distance to a target.
 15. A system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the recording device records images of the participant using the indicating device to indicate that the golf ball has stopped within the specified distance.
 16. A system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the indicating device includes a member extending generally parallel to the flag pole and connected to the flag pole at a location spaced from a bottom portion of the flag pole.
 17. A system as set forth in claim 16 wherein the member is pivotally connected to the flag pole, the member being pivotable to a position extending at an angle to the flag pole and engaging ground adjacent the target.
 18. A system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the receiving device includes a receipt issuing device and a ticket issuing device, the receipt and the ticket both being issued in response to payment for the item.
 19. A system as set forth in claim 10 further including an input device for receiving an input code, the input device outputting an acceptance indication up entering of a valid input code from an issued ticket. 